As bathhouses and saunas steadily grow in popularity, Therme Group, a global wellness company that operates large-scale resorts for rejuvenation, has been working to develop a broad international portfolio. So far, Therme has announced plans for facilities in Canada, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. With a new location announced for Poplar Point in Washington, D.C., it looks like plans for the U.S. are full steam ahead. With origins in thermal bathing traditions from ancient cultures, the first iteration of the Therme concept was developed in the late 1990s by German architect Josef Wund. The Munich facility opened in 1999, and features a thermal spa, pools, and saunas surrounded by real palm trees.Around the WorldThe urban infrastructure of Therme facilities focuses on recreation and rejuvenation, with arts, entertainment, and cultural programming alongside the spa, fitness, and dining facilities. The Therme DC project is a 15-acre health and wellness complex with thermal baths, saunas, wet rooms, immersive art, and a variety of restaurants. Therme recently announced plans to bring a 24-acre facility and campus to Dallas. While site plans for the Poplar Point outpost have yet to be released, Therme is targeting the same LEED Platinum certification it received on its second operational location in Bucharest. At this location, about 10,000 people from Bucharest and beyond sink into the steamy waters each day.With the North American rollout in Toronto facing public criticism, the jurys out on whether or not U.S. plans will catch any heat. Cities thrive when they create spaces that bring people together. Around the world, were seeing a growing demand for third spacesplaces where culture, nature and community intersect, shared Robert Hammond, president of Therme Group US and cofounder of The High Line in New York City.Plants and trees in the bathing facilities feed into Thermes urban oasis concept, promoting year-round access to nature. (Courtesy Therme Group)Site-SpecificLocated on the east side of the Anacostia River between the Frederick Douglass and 11th Street bridges, the site is one of the last significant waterfront development opportunities on the East Coast, according to Therme Group. Poplar Point, a parcel of nearly 110-acres containing a mix of accessible open space, wetlands, and wooded park, has been awaiting development since the enactment of the DC Lands Act in 2006. Now, almost 20 years later, it looks like Therme may have cracked the code.To kickstart its entry into the U.S., Therme Group submitted a proposal in response to a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) released in 2024 by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). Following the successful model of mixed-use developments across the Anacostia Waterfront including The Wharf and The Yards, the key goals of the RFEI include creating a new mixed-income waterfront neighborhood, attracting high growth industries, and increasing tourism. The project represents a breakthrough for the satisfaction of stipulations in the DC Land Act that would allow the conveyance of Poplar Point from the National Park Service to The District. Alongside the arrival of Therme DC, the site is expected to include a new public park connected to the existing Anacostia Park and Anacostia River Trail, which will span 70 acres. The Georgetown Companydeveloper and owner of commercial, retail and mixed-use propertiesis the exclusive development partner for Therme US.Early visualizations of the project showcase expansive greenspace, with wooden bridges and plants to encourage the habitation of local wildlife. The continuation of plants and trees in the bathing facilities feeds into Thermes urban oasis concept, promoting year-round access to nature.The project is undergoing an environmental assessment as part of the ongoing land use plan, with the official construction date and more design details to be announced.